Credit Card Scams

Credit card scams happen every day. Many people incorrectly think that the net accounts for a majority of it. I am sure that internet credit card scams have grown but not to the levels that people should become worried about them.

Even as recently as the year 2000, almost 90% of credit cards scams and fraud still occur offline. Why is that?

In my humble opinion, it is because most credit card thieves use very low-tech techniques to pull their scams with: Getting receipts out of trash cans. Keeping a copy of the receipts where they work at the gas station. Stealing people's mail and creating a new address for them and getting four new Visas. Those are the types of scams that are happening today.

There have been two or three incidents of online retailers getting their system hacked into by hackers but most hackers are not motivated by money. Most hackers are motivated by a sense of accomplishment when they break into Yahoo or Government systems and change something. Not stealing credit card numbers or committing fraud.

Actually using your credit card online is probably the safest way that you can buy something. If you are cheated (for any reason) you can contact your credit card company and have the charges reversed.

Now, your credit card company is going to make sure that you were scammed. You can't order a book or a 22" Plasma monitor and say that you never received it. They just aren't going to buy it.

Just be careful and always check your bill each month before paying it. That way you won't be part of the next credit card scam that goes around.

Matt Gagnon